AN ACT CONCERNING THE MEETING SCHEDULE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 27-102n of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

(a) There shall be a Board of Trustees for the Department of Veterans' Affairs. The board shall be comprised of the commissioner and nine members who by education or experience shall be qualified in health care, business management, social services or law and who shall have a demonstrated interest in the concerns of veterans. The deputy commissioner of the veterans' advocacy and assistance unit shall be a nonvoting member of the board. A majority of the members of the board shall be veterans. Members shall be appointed by the Governor and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. Members shall be sworn to the faithful performance of their duties. They shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses in the performance of their duties.

(b)The board shall meet at least [monthly]quarterly and upon the call of the commissioner. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.

(c)The board shall advise and assist the commissioner in the operation of the Veterans' Home and Hospital, the veterans' advocacy and assistance unit, the administration, expansion or modification of existing programs and services of the department and the development of new programs and services.

(d)The board shall review and approve any regulations prior to adoption by the commissioner concerning: (1) Procedures relating to admission and discharge or transfer of veterans in the home and hospital; (2) a per diem fee schedule for programs, services and benefits provided therein;[,] and (3) the participation of eligible family members in programs or services provided by the home and hospital.

(e)The board shall submit an annual report to the Governor on its activities with its recommendations, if any, for improving the delivery of services to veterans and the addition of new programs.